Lost in translation might have been a better title, summarizing pretty much the whole situation I’m facing here.
Life in Taiwan for a foreigner is a strange mixture of different feelings, requiring a good sense of humor. I could go on and explain it but I doubt I can, so I invite you to come around and have a look for yourself.
As I’m trying to develop my studio, doing mainly wedding photographs, I realised how different both cultures are.
Traditionally, in Taiwan, couples who are about to marry would have their pictures taken in a studio, and maybe on location, those wedding pictures would normally be taken a few months BEFORE the wedding and then turned into a big fat wedding album to display for all to see on your wedding day.
The style is usually “kitch” or cheesy (whichever one you prefer!), if not VERY “kitch” or VERY cheesy, but it suits the market, the customer is king after all; and the job they do, if not to my taste is, in most cases, very professional.
To sum up : they do Cheesy and they do it well!
So in order to do business one must adapt, at least that’s what I was told, and being stubborn it is exactly the opposite I’m doing, persisting in taking natural, relaxed pictures. Let’s face it: I cannot compete with Taiwanese cheesy studios, they are too good at being cheesy, one might say they have reached some kind of cheesy heaven (might sound appealing to a Frenchman though…), so I go the other way, and keep taking the pictures that I love, because after all this is why I got in the business in the first place: making a living out of my passion.
I will build a niche market for people who enjoy natural, modern and relaxed wedding photography.
Do what you love!
Nico
WuBaiCBFanAh, Nico, your photos are always so beautiful, how can the Taiwanese resist? True, it’s not easy trying to change a cultural habit, but as they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Just show them what you can do and how lovely it is.
IsamarTu sabes mi opinion: eres el mejor en lo que haces! Sigue asi! Tu siempre muestras el momento, y siempre vale mas que mil palabras… 😀
Anonymousyou finally did it~ Great job!
We support your passion and your professional work! Dont worry, one day the Taiwanese will realise that you are the best!! And in the mean while, just keep the faith and be ready for the recognations!!
We love you and will always be with you!
Nala and me.